I Took My First Solo Trip At 68. Here’s What Surprised Me Most About Being Alone Abroad

Venturing out into the world all by myself at the age of 68 was a leap I never thought I’d take. But take it, I did.

Embarking on my first solo trip abroad, I discovered there’s a lot more to traveling alone than just sightseeing and ticking off the tourist hotspots.

What surprised me the most about being alone abroad wasn’t the language barrier or unfamiliar food. It was deeper than that.

It was about the unexpected revelations and self-discoveries that can only come from stepping out of your comfort zone.

In this article, I’ll share my reflections and surprises from my journey.

Trust me, it’s never too late to embrace adventure and learn something new about yourself.

1) Embracing solitude

Traveling alone for the first time at 68 was a daunting prospect. I was stepping into the unknown, far from my comfort zone.

But the biggest surprise? The solitude wasn’t scary or depressing. In fact, it was liberating.

Being alone abroad allowed me to set my own pace and enjoy my own company.

There were no compromises or discussions about what to do next. I could just go with the flow and make decisions on a whim.

And in that solitude, I discovered new aspects of myself.

Aspects that had been overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

If you’re thinking about solo travel, don’t fear the solitude.

Embrace it instead. It might just end up being your favorite part of the journey.

2) The art of conversation

Even though I was traveling alone, I was never really “alone”. Here’s why.

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One evening, in a quaint little café in Rome, I found myself sharing a table with a group of locals.

They were discussing politics, and even though my Italian was rusty, I decided to join in.

To my surprise, they welcomed me into their discussion.

We spent hours debating, laughing, and sharing stories over cups of strong Italian coffee.

It was a warm, enriching experience that I would never have had if I wasn’t alone.

Traveling solo opened up opportunities for conversations that I wouldn’t normally have.

It made me more approachable and more likely to approach others.

And these spontaneous interactions were some of the most memorable moments of my trip.

3) Confidence boost

Traveling alone can be a real confidence booster.

Solo travel has a positive impact on personal growth and self-confidence.

In my own experience, I found this to be true.

Navigating foreign cities, overcoming language barriers, and dealing with the occasional mishap – all these experiences forced me to rely on myself in ways I hadn’t before.

By the end of my trip, I returned home not just with a suitcase full of souvenirs, but also a renewed sense of self-assurance and confidence.

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4) Culture immersion

When you travel with others, it’s easy to stick to your comfort zone.

But when you’re alone, you’re more likely to delve into the local culture and way of life.

I found myself trying local cuisines I wouldn’t normally pick, learning snippets of a new language, and participating in traditional customs.

This immersion into the local culture was not just educational, but also allowed me to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our world in a deeper way.

Solo travel, surprisingly, made me a more engaged and observant traveler.

5) Coping with loneliness

I won’t sugarcoat it – there were moments on my trip when I felt a pang of loneliness.

Dining alone in a restaurant filled with couples and families, or coming back to an empty hotel room could sometimes be tough.

But these moments taught me a valuable lesson – it’s okay to feel lonely.

It’s okay to miss your loved ones. It’s part of the human experience.

Instead of letting the loneliness get to me, I learned to acknowledge it, and then use it as an opportunity to reach out.

Sometimes, I’d strike up conversations with strangers. Other times, I’d write postcards to my family back home.

Through these experiences, I learned that even in my solitude, I was never truly alone.

It was a powerful realization that helped me make peace with my own company.

6) Self-reliance

Before my solo trip, I never realized how much I relied on others for simple tasks – be it asking for directions, booking a hotel, or even deciding where to eat.

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Being alone abroad meant I had to do everything myself.

From booking train tickets in a foreign language to navigating through winding streets with a map – I was completely dependent on myself.

This newfound self-reliance was empowering.

It not only boosted my confidence, but also made me realize that I’m capable of far more than I had previously given myself credit for.

My solo trip taught me that I can handle any situation that comes my way.

7) The joy of self-discovery

The most profound surprise from my solo trip wasn’t the breathtaking sights or the exotic food, but the journey of self-discovery it led me on.

Traveling alone gave me the rare chance to pause, reflect, and truly get to know myself – my strengths, my shortcomings, my passions, and my fears.

It was like meeting myself all over again.

Being alone abroad opened up a world within myself that I didn’t know existed.

And that, my friends, was the greatest surprise of all.

Final thoughts: Embrace the journey

Traveling alone, especially later in life, is a journey both literally and metaphorically.

It’s about discovering new places, cultures, and people.

But perhaps more importantly, it’s about discovering yourself.

Embarking on my solo trip at 68, I learned that age is just a number when it comes to adventure.

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I realized that it’s never too late to step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and embrace new experiences.

If you’re contemplating a solo trip, don’t let age or fear hold you back.

As Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth.

You never know what surprises await you on the road less traveled.

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